an email recap: the Crème de la Crème of Ernie Pyle Hall...
It would be a pleasure...if my week straightens out any, God, or something like It (watch out! tangent coming!), I, again like Asimov, am more realist than atheist, and am not really atheist, at least I don't believe I am...
Yet, I've such reservation regarding direct association with the all-to-common blasphemy spewed by scores of contemporary "Christians," that I prefer to dissassociate with even the term "God," these days, much less the culture of right wing fascism "He" seems to have spawned lately...why zealots have to ruin something as spectacular and notable as Divinity I'll never understand...it's a damn good thing I'm a nondenominational evangelist or else, because if I had to choose one religion over the other these days it would be very hard to convince myself that Christianity is viable in light of what I've seen from too many "Christians" lately...and those that do not feel they belong in my category, but believe themselves to be Christian, ought step up and do something about the rest of "their" people out there who are likely to damn the entire world if left unchecked.
I recently said, in a discussion of foreign policy, that, at this point, I'm not so worried about the fascists overseas (Iran, notably) that might build Nuclear weapons, as I am with the fascists that already have Nuclear weapons (the USA under a right wing zealot, notably). Listen, I'm fine with a strong military and protection from invasion and the use of force if absolutely necessary-I'm just not fine with the measure of absolute currently in use, and I can hardly imagine the absolute sense that would justify the global damage to my home, and my children's home, that is a Nuclear blast, not to mention the ethical and moral ramifications of the...fallout...of the use of Nuclear weaponry.
Anyway, "God" willing I'd love a chance to partake of coffee or tea and chat-always a pleasure to converse and discourse with a peer. If time does permit I'll email again...I've always regarded you with great admiration as you have shown an honorable sense of commitment to education...and journalism...By the way, what ever became of the striking "other AI" from Evans' class...she was remarkable on many levels...haven't seen her around lately...just musing, it's of little consequence, really...but yes, her company was always a pleasure...and why am I so bad with names? Sheez.
And I don't mean to barrage you with banter (careful! soapbox warning!), but I do want to quickly recommend to you Donald T. Philips' book, Martin Luther King, Jr. On Leadership for relevance in association with the Katrina aftermath, today's "challenging times," and Dr. Mackie-an intersection exists to the political and social challenges facing the country in this time, a time of a most important election...vote, and vote Obama, being the final thought. You see, Katrina underscores the need for quality leadership like hardly anything else I can think of...unless of course, the economy, foreign policy and human rights come into the mix...geez...it's grotesque what this administration has done to our world...sigh.
Anyway, as always, bestest wishes in these trying times my friend,
~!jesatiu
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
"God," or something like It...
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2 comments:
"I've such reservation regarding direct association with the all-to-common blasphemy spewed by scores of contemporary 'Christians,' that I prefer to dissassociate with even the term 'God,' these days, much less the culture of right wing fascism 'He' seems to have spawned lately..."
I can't tell you how many times I've heard similar words lately, and how much it makes my heart ache. So many people have done wrong things, unconscionable things, in the name of "Christianity" and "Religion." This is not right. This is not God. The teachings of the Bible are so far removed from what some people have turned them into that it's a travesty.
What is God?
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." ~ 1 John 4:16
What is Christianity?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16
That's it. Anyone who says differently has their own motives at heart and is lying.
There is a great burden on those who know the tender love of God to portray that truth to the world.
mousewords has it right. Sadly, most "unbelievers" judge Christianity by Christians, not by Christ. That's why Paul was always haranguing his folks to walk circumspectly, so as to be above reproach, "so that no one may lay any charge against you".
I try to keep in mind that my life may be the only Bible that some folks will ever read. "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."
On a different topic, I find it interesting that you'd bring up Katrina as an argument to vote for Obama.
Katrina was not a lack of national leadership so much lack of local competence. The people in the Superdome didn't need an inpsirational speech frmo a President; they needed supplies and transport from the city and state. It wasn't a failure to inspire. It was a failure to plan and execute.
If Katrina is the benchmark, then you want someone with proven executive ability - Romney, perhaps, or maybe even Huckabee - he gives a good speech, too. :-)
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